Rescue & Restore (LP)

August Burns Red

Amoeba Review

06/25/2013

For a group of Christian boys from rural Pennsylvania, August Burns Red’s music is remarkably brutal. “Provision” dispenses with bloody riffs, chugging basslines and alternating time signatures, while Josh McManness shreds his vocal chords through both high and spazzy screaches and low growls. “Treatment” gets even more ridiculous, with vintage metal riffs offering the only respite from the punishing beats and McManness’ shrieks of “OPEN THE GATES!!!” It sometimes all hits your ears at once, but there are scores of ideas buried in the din. When they pull back the curtain of sound, the result can be lovely, as in the string-laden opening of “Spirit Breaker,” which introduces a melodic sensibility in the song that might otherwise be lost without it. But this isn’t about melody — it’s about drummer Matt Grenier’s hurricane beats in “Beauty and Tragedy,” McManness’ bloodcurling screech in “Count it all as Lost,” and mathematical riffs aplenty in “Echoes.” Put it on and stand back.